Modular rack system



Dec. 30, 1969 I A. H. FRATER 3,486,634

MODULAR RACK SYSTEM Filed Feb. 26, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 zlmwroz 74% f/W/ar ///ar//a Dec. 30, 1969 A. H FRATER MODULAR RACK SYSTEM '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1968 .F/ ZZZ! m w n wr 1/ m w 4 a Dec. 30, 1969 I A. IFRATER 3, 86,634

MODULAR RACK SYSTEM 7 Filed Feb. 26, 1968 I s Sheets-Sheet 5 ///ar//4m United States Patent 3,486,634 MODULAR RACK SYSTEM Allen H. Frater, Watertown, Wis., assignor to G. B. Lewis Company, Watertown, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Feb. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 708,106 Int. Cl. A47f 3/14; A47j 47/00 US. Cl. 211133 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A modular frame unit for supporting a plurality of boxes containing articles for display or assembly purposes. Rails for mounting the boxes are secured between side angles formed to facilitate extension of the units into a variety of configurations by the use of a simple attaching arrangement.

Summary of the invention The present invention relates to storage and display racks having a frame supporting a plurality of boxes which may contain articles such as bolts and nuts or assembly parts and the like.

In conventional racks for supporting boxes of this type, the frame structure is not adaptable as a modular unit for building large display or storage systems in a variety of onfigurations. If conventional racks are placed side-by-sid or back-to-back, valuable space is wasted where the frame parts abut against one another. As larger rack systems of different configurations are required by a user, it is conventional to either develop a custom frame for the particular situation or position existing units together.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a modular frame unit of standard dimensions and shapes to be used alone or combined in any desired configuration by the use of a relatively small number of inexpensive parts.

Another object is to provide a modular frame unit for supporting a plurality of assembly and display boxes in which the units are simple and inexpensive in construction and which may be easily combined together in any desired configuration by utilizing a number of identical units.

Another important object is to provide a modular frame unit of relatively small size and weight which will hold a maximum number of assembly or display boxes.

Another object is to provide a modular box supporting frame construction in which frame units may be closely joined side-by-side so that boxes between adjacent units may be mounted together without wasting space.

An object is to provide a modular box supporting frame unit in which integral parts of the frame also function as stops to prevent the boxes from dropping from the frame rails.

Still another object is to provide relatively small modular box supporting bench units constructed of a relatively few inexpensive parts in which end brackets serve as both rail mounts and foot supports and in which the units can be combined together in various configurations to increase the box capacity by using the same type of modular units.

Description of the drawings Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a single modular frame unit incorporating features of the present invention illustrating one mode of construction for supporting a plurality of article-containing boxes;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation view of the modular frame unit of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial top plan view illustrating a sideby-side combination of two modular units of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a partial plan View in section of the combined units of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view illustrating combined back-to-back modular units;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view illustrating a modification in which a pair of the combined units of FIGURE 5 are joined side-by-side to form an extended system;

FIGURE 7 is a partial side elevation view of one modified form for joining the modular units back-toback;

FIGURE 8 is a partial top plan view of the modification of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a top plan View of a modification embodying three modular units combined in a triangular configuration;

FIGURE 10 is a partial top plan view illustrating a modification of the invention of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a partial top plan view illustrating two modular units combined together at right angles; and

FIGURE 12 is a front elevation view of a modification embodying a pair of side-by-side modular bench stand units;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevation view of a modification embodying a pair of back-to-back modular bench stand units;

FIGURE 14 is a top plan view of the modular bench stand unit employed in FIGURES 12 and 13.

Detailed description Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG- URES 1 and 2, a single modular frame unit supported in an inclined position for a floor mounting is indicated generally at 10. Unit 10 functions to support a plurality of article-containing boxes 12 and would be installed at the desired assembly or display area for convenient accessibility. The dimensions and configuration of unit 10 may be standardized for production to take advantage of the economies of mass production. A plurality of the units 10 may be easily and rapidly joined together in a manner to be described for increasing the capacity of the storage rack system. The frame units may also be assembled on site in any desired configuration Without the need of providing custom-built frames.

Modular unit 10 comprises a pair of laterally spaced upstanding side angles 14 and 16 which support a plurality of vertically spaced rails 18 adapted to releasably support boxes 12. Each of the angles 14 and 16 is formed with an inwardly extending leg 20, 22 and a rearwardly extending leg 24, 26. The rails 18 are secured between the angles by attaching the rail ends to the outer surfaces of angle legs 20 and 22 by suitable means such as welding. The rails 18 are formed in a conventional manner With an upwardly projecting lip to engage a corresponding lip on the rear of boxes 12. The boxes may thus beinstalled on the rails in any desired location.

Each of the angle legs is formed with apertures 28, 30 and 32 suitable for attaching a desired support structure 34, as in FIGURE 1, or for attachment with other frame units, as will hereinafter be described.

Support structure 34 holds frame unit 10 in an inclined position, such as would be desirable at an assembly location where a worker can conveniently reach the articles in boxes 12. Structures 34 comprise a pair of foot braces 36, 38 secured to the lowermost ends of the angles by suitable means such as bolts. A pair of rear braces 40 and 42 are secured at 44 to the foot braces and at 30 to the angles. A tie brace 46 is secured between the rear braces. The entire frame unit 10 and support structure 34 may be self-standing as shown, or may be bolted to a floor through the foot braces. The invention contemplates other supporting structures in which unit 10 is secured in an upright position, for example, either by bolting the frame to a wall or by rigidly securing a foot brace, not shown, perpendicular to the lower end of the side angles.

With modular frame unit 10, the capacity of the rack system may be extended by adding additional frame units together in the desired configuration. FIGURE 3 illustrates a top view of an extended system with two units 10 and 48 mounted in side-by-side configuration. Leg 26 of frame 10 angle 16 is mounted adjacent leg 50 of frame 48 angle 52. The adjacent legs are secured together by suitable means, such as bolts 54. The outer end of unit 48 may additionally be supported by foot and rear braces, not shown, similar to structure 34.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the arrangement for supporting the lower ends of angles 16 and 52. Foot brace 38 is turned end-for-end and secured to the angles by suitable means, such as bolt 56, and is attached at its other end, not shown, to rear brace 42. One or more mounting holes 58 may be provided for bolting the structure to a floor.

As illustrated in FIGURE 3, construction of the frame units according to the invention permits close abutment of the adjacent angles so that no space is wasted between adjacent rails. Thus, boxes 60 and 62 on adjacent frames may be positioned in close abutting relationship so that a maximum number of boxes may be supported on the rack system.

FIGURE illustrates the assembly of a pair of frame units 64 and 66 in back-to-back inclined relationship. This forms an extended rack system or unit 63 with increased box capacity and at the same time eliminates the rear brace of the support structure of FIGURE 1. Angles 68 and 72 are secured together at their upper ends by suitable means such as bolt 76 at their lower ends by foot brace 78. The extended unit of FIGURE 5 may be self-standing but preferably is bolted down to a floor. A plurality of boxes 79 of varying size are then placed on the rails in the desired location.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a further extension of the rack system by assembling in side-by-side relationship the extended unit 63 of FIGURE 5 with another identical extended unit 80. The upper ends of adjacent angles 81 and 83 may be secured together by suitable means such as bolt 82. The outer end of unit 80 may be supported by the addition of another foot brace, not shown, at the lower end of the outer angles.

A modified assembly method for the back-to-back frame units is illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8. The opposing angles 84 and 85 of the two modular frame units may be secured together by means of a generally triangular end plate 86 through the use of a pair of bolts 88 and 100. The lower ends of each of the angles, not shown, would also be secured to the lower end of plate 86, thus eliminating the need for a separate foot brace member. As illustrated in FIGURE 8, this mounting arrangement provides a fiat end surface so that additional units similarly constructed may be closely abutted together at their ends. The end plate edges extend outwardly of the rails, as at 87, to prevent the boxes from sliding off of the rails.

Although the extended units 63 and 80 are illustrated in an inclined position, it is understood that opposing frame units may also be erected in vertical positions, not shown, with opposing angles secured together. Such a construction would require the resulting unit to be bolted to a floor or other structure for purposes of stability.

FIGURE 9 illustrates another modified assembly of three modular units resulting in an extended unit 102 of triangular pgnfiguration, Unit g may either surround a column or other structure, or the interior space may be utilized for storage purposes. Unit 102 comprises identical modular units 104, 106, and 108 secured together at their upper and lower ends by three elongated adapter members 110, 112, and 114. Each adapter member is formed with an included angle of and is secured to corresponding legs of the frame member angles by suitable means such as bolts. The resulting unit 102 may either be self-standing or bolted to a floor.

FIGURE 10 illustrates another modification of the extended modular unit of FIGURE 9 in which a modified adapter member 116 is mounted between converging modular frame units 104 and 108. The outer ends 118 and 120 of member 116 extend outwardly of the ends of rails 122 and 124. Ends 118 and 120 thus serve as stops to prevent boxes mounted on the rails from sliding off accidentally.

Other configurations for extending the modular units are also possible by providing adapter members of varied construction. Thus, the modular frame units may be combined together at right angles as in FIGURE 11 to provide either square, U-shaped, or rectangular rack systems. Adapter member 126 of FIGURE 11 is formed with a 90 configuration for securing together units 128 and 130. Ends 132 and 134 of the adapter member may be extended alongside the rail ends, as shown, to serve as box stop members.

FIGURES l2, l3, and 14 illustrate a small modular box supporting frame unit which would find use as a bench stand for display and assembly purposes. Bench unit 136 comprises a plurality of vertically spaced box supporting rails 138 secured by suitable means, such as welding, between a pair of laterally spaced upstanding end brackets 140 and 142. Each end bracket serves the multiple purposes of supporting the rails, providing foot braces, and securing adjacent unit ends together to extend the rack system. The brackets may be fabricated from a suitable material such as sheet metal and comprise a flat end section 144, 146, an inwardly bent lower margin 148, forming a supporting foot, and an inwardly bent rearward margin 152, 154 forming the rail support surface. A pair of apertures 156 are provided in each of the end sections for joining adjacent units.

FIGURE 12 illustrates the extension of the rack system by joining a second frame unit 158 in side-by-side relationship with identical unit 136 by suitable means such as bolts 160. Further extension may be accomplished by adding additional units in back-to-back relationship, as in FIGURE 13 where unit 162 is joined with unit 136.

The bench stand units 136, 158, 162 may be self-standing but preferably are attached to a bench or other supporting surface by suitable means such as bolts through apertures 164 in supporting feet 148, 150, as shown in FIGURE 14.

While the embodiment herein is at present considered to be preferred, it will be understood that numerous variations and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such variations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A modular frame unit for supporting a plurality of article-retaining boxes for purposes of display or assembly, and the like, the modular unit comprising the combination of: a pair of laterally spaced upstanding side angles, each angle having an inwardly extending leg and a rearwardly extending leg; a plurality of vertically spaced box supporting rails, each rail being positioned laterally between the angles and secured at opposite ends to respective inward legs thereof; and means for supporting the angles in the upstanding position. 4

2. The invention of claim 1 and further including a second upstanding frame unit having a plurality of rails secured between a pair of side angles substantially identi: cal to said modular unit and being positioned in side-by.-

side relationship therewith to form an extended unit, the rearward leg of one second frame angle being in abutting relationship with the rearward leg of an angle of the modular frame; and means to secure said abutting angles together.

3. The invention of claim 1 further characterized in that said supporting means comprises at least one foot brace secured at one end to the lower end of one angle, and at least one upstanding brace secured between the other end of the foot brace and an upper portion of said one angle.

4. The invention of claim 1 and further including a second upstanding frame unit comprising a plurality of rails secured between a pair of angles substantially identical to said modular unit and being positioned in backto-back relationship therewith to form an extended unit with opposite frame angles aligned; said means for supporting the angles comprising at least one foot brace secured between an aligned pair of angles at their lower ends, and means to secure the upper ends of the aligned angles together.

5. The invention of claim 4 and further including a second extended unit comprising a pair of modular units in back-to-back relationship substantially identical to said first mentioned extended unit, said second unit being positioned in side-by-side relationship therewith, at least one rearward leg of the angles of the first unit being in abutting relationship with a corresponding rearward leg of the second unit angles; and means to secure said abutting angles together.

6. The invention of claim 1 and further including a second upstanding frame unit comprising a plurality of rails secured between angles substantially identical to said modular unit and being positioned in back-to-back relationship therewith to form an extended unit with opposite frame angles aligned; and said means for supporting the angles comprising at least one upstanding end plate positioned between an aligned pair of angles and secured to rearward legs thereof.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said frames are inclined upwardly in converging relationship; and said end plate has a triangular configuration generally conforming at its outer edges with said frame inclination.

8. The invention of claim 6 further characterized in that at least one edge of the side plate extends outwardly of said rails to preclude lateral movement of the boxes therefrom.

9. The invention of claim 1 further including a second upstanding frame unit comprising a plurality of rails se cured between angles substantially identical to said modular unit with at least one pair of respective angles positioned together, said frame units defining a diverging plan configuration; an elongated adapter member having diverging legs positioned in abutting relationship with respective rearward legs of the adjacent side angles, and means securing together said rearward legs with the corresponding adapter legs.

10. The invention of claim 9 and further characterized in that at least one adapter leg extends outwardly of the rails to preclude lateral movement of the boxes therefrom. 11. A modular bench frame unit for supporting a plurality of article-retaining boxes for purposes of display or assembly, and the like, the modular unit comprising the combination of a pair of laterally spaced upstanding end brackets, each bracket having a flat end section, an inwardly bent lower margin forming a supporting foot, and an inwardly bent rearward margin; a plurality of vertically spaced box supporting rails, each rail being positioned laterally between the brackets and secured at opposite ends to respective rearward margins of the brackets.

12. The invention of claim 11 further including a second frame unit comprising a plurality of rails secured between end brackets substantially identical to said modular unit and being in si-de-by-side relationship therewith, an end bracket of the second unit being in abutting relationship with the adjacent end bracket of the modular unit; and means to secure said abutting end brackets together.

13. The invention of claim 11 and further including a second frame unit comprising a plurality of rails secured between end brackets substantially identical to said modular unit and being positioned in back-to-back abutting relationship therewith to form an extended unit with opposite end brackets being aligned.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,705,747 3/1929 Brecht 211-128 X 2,316,892 4/1943 Saul 2l1l28 2,579,704 12/1951 Saul 211128 2,599,380 6/1952 Galvin 211-133 NILE C. BY-ERS, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

